Borussia Dortmund's manager, Nuri Sahin, took full responsibility for his team's 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, attributing the defeat to his tactical decision-making. Dortmund, who had started their Champions League campaign with two consecutive victories, were looking to solidify their position when they faced Real Madrid in what was a rematch of last season's final. Despite taking an early 2-0 lead, Dortmund found themselves overwhelmed by Real Madrid's resurgence, conceding five goals in the second half.
Sahin's crucial decision came early in the second half when he opted to make defensive changes. He substituted goal scorers Donyell Malen and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens for defender Waldemar Anton and holding midfielder Pascal Gross in an attempt to reinforce Dortmund's defense. At the time, Sahin's rationale was to bolster the backline, as he felt that Real Madrid was applying increasing pressure on Dortmund's defense. However, the tactical shift backfired, leaving Dortmund vulnerable and unable to cope with Real Madrid's attacking onslaught.
In his post-match press conference, Sahin reflected on the tactical blunder and acknowledged his responsibility. "We played well with the ball and created solutions, scoring two goals. But as the second half began, we noticed we were being pushed back, and defensive problems started to emerge," Sahin explained. He admitted that his decision to switch to a three-man defense was a mistake that ultimately led to Dortmund's downfall. "It's my mistake, and I have to live with it. There will be criticism, but I have to face that. We defended very, very badly," Sahin added.
Despite the defeat, Sahin emphasized the importance of taking lessons from the match, particularly from the positive performance in the first half. He highlighted that if Dortmund could play at such a high level against a team as formidable as Real Madrid, they should strive to maintain that standard against all opponents. "It's an extremely bitter loss today, but we have to take the positives. If we can play football like this against Real Madrid, then we have to do it against everyone. That's our benchmark," Sahin remarked.
Sahin’s candid acceptance of the defeat and his tactical errors underscores the challenges of balancing defensive solidity with maintaining offensive pressure, especially against a team of Real Madrid's caliber. Going forward, Dortmund will need to build on their positive play and rectify the mistakes that led to this painful loss if they are to remain competitive in the Champions League.
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